Stephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)
Kasargod, May 13: The state government has decided to come down heavily on lenders who lend loans on exorbitant rates of interest in view of the suicide by three members of a family after harassment by the lenders. Three lenders have already been arrested in Kasargod.
The government has decided to apply the goonda act against the lenders. More than three criminal cases are registered against the lenders.
It is said that such business is on the increase and extremely high rates of interest is being charged on loans. Several people have come to the streets and many have committed suicides due to the rates.
The lenders are being taken to task by the name 'Operation Kubera.' More than 75 people are arrested in the operation. Rs 50 lacs has been recovered. Several records and vehicles are seized. Notorious robbers and women are also included in the arrests.
More than 1,500 lending traders are raided in the state. The state police head has ordered for the application of the goonda law on the arrests in three cases.
Police have raided lenders also known as blade mafia in the district; four people including a woman are also arrested.
Twenty places were raided on Sunday May 11 night on instructions by the assistant direcotor general of police Y Shanker Reddy.
The arrested include Trikaripura Vayaladi resident Maria Gretta (56), Vellarikunda resident Mathew Joseph (50), Kannatippare resident Ashok (35) and Ambalattara Kalichinadka resident Damu.
Besides that, a case is registered against Chengala Baladka resident Majid (50). Several incriminating documents are seized from a mobile shop belonging to Kannattipare resident Ashok.
A adhar card, driving license, RC book, cheque books and a register with the names of the borrowers were seized from the shop.
The team led by Vellarikundu police circle inspector M K Suresh Kumar has raided six houses.
Thirty cheque leafs, stamp paper and other records were recovered from the houses of Mathew and Maria Gretta.
Raids in Kasargod, Kumble, Vidya Nagar and other police station limits are being continued.